DMs & SSPs directed to act against people preventing operation of public transport
Wednesday, 03 January 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The transport secretary Arvind Singh Hyanki directed all district magistrates and senior/superintendents of police to act against those who are illegally prohibiting other drivers from operating transport vehicles. Several transportation related services remained disrupted in the State on Tuesday due to the strike by transport vehicle drivers and owners to protest against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases. Following this, the transport department held a meeting in the evening with various transport unions and officials concerned.
The union members said in the meeting that there are many reasons for accidents which include bad roads, poor intersections and untrained drivers of private vehicles as no driver intentionally causes an accident under any circumstances. They said it is unjustified of the central government to make provision for a 10-year sentence and impose a hefty fine on the driver under the new rule. They said that sometimes the victims are also at fault which should be considered as well. Despite this, even if the driver of big vehicles like buses or trucks stops at the accident site, he will become a victim of mob violence due to which, they are generally forced to run away from the accident site after an accident, as per the union members.
Addressing the union members in the meeting, Hyanki said that the government has neither issued the notification regarding the said regulations nor has it been implemented till now. He said that he understands the drivers’ points and if they have any kind of objection or confusion on the proposed law, they should present it before the department calmly as per the rules. The department will present will convey the issue along with all of their points to the central government. Hyanki said that the strike by public transport unions is not only causing inconvenience to the people in transportation but also affecting the supply of essential materials. He asked the unions to present their stand while continuing the operation of vehicles uninterrupted.
Some transport unions, including those related to Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC), informed Hyanki that they are not involved in the strike but some are creating obstructions in the operations of the vehicles. The transport secretary said to such unions that those who want to operate their vehicles will be provided full security as per requirement and no person will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. He also issued orders to all DMs, SPs and SSPs to act on the matter accordingly. Besides this, he also directed the managers of oil and gas companies to maintain an uninterrupted supply of fuel like petrol and diesel.
